A century stand between Richie Looknauth and Arshad Azim propelled Cornelia Ida Cricket Club (CI) to a nine-wicket win over Zeeburg Sports Club yesterday at the Meten-Meer-Zorg ground in the latest round of the West Demerara Cricket Association President’s T20 tournament.
Zeeburg won the toss and elected to bat on a flat wicket in overcast conditions but could only manage 132 all out in 19 overs while CI responded with 135 for one in 15.1 overs.
Looknauth piloted the chase with an unbeaten 50, laced with five fours and a six while sharing in an unfinished 101-run second-wicket partnership with Azim, who stroked 58 not out, highlighted by four fours and five sixes, the last of which was hit over mid-wicket to seal the victory. Looknauth also added 35 for the first wicket with Khellwan Tulcan who raced to 23 before being run out.
Earlier, Zeeburg were in trouble early oin after Looknauth removed Balbindar Shivpersaud, who was drawn out by the off-spinner only to be stumped for three. Yutesh Persaud top scored with 39 from 23 balls, hitting three sixes and two fours while sharing in a partnership of 45 for the third wicket alongside Malcolm Hubbard, who made 26. Zeeburg lost their last four wicket for just 14 runs and just under 15 minutes, leaving Andre Seepersaud stranded on 21 not out from 12 balls.
Off-spinner, Vaickesh Dhaniram ripped through the order to end with six for 22 from his four overs. He was supported by fellow offspinner, Looknauth who ended with two for 12 and left-arm spinner, Mohamed Wazidali who took two for 23.
After the match, Looknauth said it was nice to get some runs and cap off an exceptional performance with both bat and ball. He said the victory was a team effort, highlighting the six-wicket haul from Dhaniram as the turning point of the game and the century stand as the icing on the cake.
